North Devon

North Devon's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and health.

The population reached nearly 94,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of North Devon increased by 7.0%, from just over 87,500 to 93,700.

The addition of just under 6,200 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, North Devon was home to, on average, 0.61 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in rate of employment

This area saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of employed people.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (from 50% to 54%) and East Devon (from 45% to 49%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of employed people.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

In 2011, just under one in two (50%) people aged 16 to 74 in North Devon said they were employed, compared with 48% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed decreased from 3.3% to 3.0%.

The rate of employment was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in North Devon that rented privately increased from 13% to 18% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 11%, while the percentage of North Devon households that owner their home decreased from 73% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in North Devon increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in North Devon, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Relationships in North Devon

The percentage of married people fell in North Devon at a faster rate than in nearby Somerset West and Taunton.

In North Devon, the proportion of married people decreased from 56% in 2001 to 52% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Somerset West and Taunton decreased from 53% to 51%.

Across the South West, the share of married people decreased from 53% to 49%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in North Devon increased from 23% to 28%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of North Devon residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.8% to 5.6% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (80%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 68% in 2001. The percentage of North Devon residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in North Devon decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in North Devon, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in North Devon working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.3%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.2% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in North Devon decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in North Devon, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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